John 5

1 Some time later [after these things, following this] there was a feast [festival, celebration] of the Jews [Jewish people, descendants of Judah], and Jesus [Joshua, God is salvation] went up [ascended, traveled to] to Jerusalem [the holy city]. word study 2 Now there is in Jerusalem [the holy city, near the temple] near the Sheep Gate [where sheep were led to market, a place of gathering] a pool [a body of water for bathing or swimming, a place of healing] with five covered colonnades [porticoes, stoas, or covered walkways], which in Hebrew [the language of the Jewish people, the tongue of the Israelites] is called [named, designated, or known as] Bethesda [the house of kindness, a place of mercy and healing]. word study 3 On these [specific, previously mentioned] walkways lay a great [large, abundant] number of the sick [weak, feeble], the blind [physically or spiritually unable to see], the lame [crippled], and the paralyzed [completely unable to move]. word study 5 One [a certain] man [human being] there [in that place] had been [was] an invalid [weak, having an infirmity] for thirty-eight [thirty, and eight] years [a period of time, in his life]. word study 6 When Jesus [the Greek name for Joshua, meaning God is salvation] saw him lying there [reclining, in a state of helplessness] and realized [knew, understood] that he had spent [been in, endured] a long time [a great while, many years] in this condition [state of illness, disability], He asked him, “Do you want [desire, will] to get well [be made whole, become healthy, healthy, complete] [be healed, restored to wholeness]?” word study 7 “Sir [lord, master],” the invalid [sick, weak, or feeble] replied, “I have no one [no human, no person] to help me into the pool [a body of water for healing] when the water [literal or figurative] is stirred [troubled, agitated]. While I am on my way [coming, going], someone else [another, different] goes in before me [prior to my arrival].” word study 8 Then Jesus [the Greek name for Joshua, meaning God is salvation] told him, “Get up [arise, stand up] [from your bed of sickness], pick up [take away] your mat [bed, a simple pallet], and walk [live, follow Jesus].” word study 9 Immediately [at once, without delay] the man was made well [healed, restored to health], and he picked up his mat [bed, pallet] and began to walk [to live, to follow a new path]. Now this happened [occurred, took place] on the Sabbath day [a day of rest, the seventh day of the week], word study 10 so the Jews [from Judah, Jewish leaders] said to the man who had been healed [made whole, cured], “This is the Sabbath [day of rest, seventh day]! It is unlawful [not permitted, against the law] for you to carry [take up, lift] your mat [bed, pallet].” word study 11 But he answered [in response to their question], “The man [that one] who made [created, brought about] me well [whole, healthy] told [said to] me, ‘Pick up [take away] your mat [bed] and walk [live].’” word study 12 “Who [which man, what person] is this man [the human being, a person] who told [said, commanded, instructed] you to pick [take up, lift] it up [your bed, your mat] and walk [live, proceed, follow]?” they asked. word study 13 But the man [who had been made whole, healed] who was healed [restored to health, cured] did not know [was unaware, had no knowledge] who it was [which person, Jesus], for Jesus [the Savior, God’s salvation] had slipped away [withdrawn, conveyed himself away] while the crowd [a multitude, a large group] was there [in that place, present]. word study 14 Afterward [following this event, later on], Jesus [Joshua, God is salvation] found the man at the temple [a sacred place, the Temple in Jerusalem] and said to him, “See [look, behold], you have been made well [healed, cured, restored to health]. Stop [never again, cease] sinning [missing the mark, falling short of God’s standard], or something worse [more evil, harmful] may happen to you [come upon you, befall you].” word study 15 And the man [a human, a person] went away [departed, to go away] and told [reported, announced] the Jews [people from Judah, Jewish leaders] that it was Jesus [Joshua, God is salvation] who had made [done, created] him well [healthy, whole]. word study 16 Now because Jesus [the Messiah, God’s salvation] was doing these things [miracles, signs] on the Sabbath [the day of rest, seventh day], the Jews [people from Judah, Israelites] began to persecute [pursue, harass] Him [the Son of God, Savior]. word study 17 But Jesus [the Greek name for Joshua, meaning God is salvation] answered them, “To this very day [until now, even now] My Father [a male parent, referring to God as the Father of Jesus] is at His work [laboring, actively engaged], and I too [also, in like manner] am working [laboring, doing the Father’s will].” word study 18 Because of [through, on account of] this, the Jews [from Judah, Jewish leaders] tried all the harder [with increased intensity, more diligently] to kill Him [to destroy, to take His life]. Not only was He breaking [violating, disregarding] the Sabbath [day of rest, seventh day], but He was even calling [saying, proclaiming] God [the Father, divine Creator] His own [private, personal] Father, making [declaring, establishing] Himself equal [similar in nature, having the same essence] with God [the supreme Deity, Almighty]. word study 19 So Jesus replied, “Truly [verily, with utmost certainty], truly [emphatically, I assure you], I tell you, the Son [of God, the Messiah] can do nothing [is unable to act, has no power] by Himself [alone, of His own accord], unless [if, except when] He sees [perceives, observes] the Father [God, the Creator] doing [working, acting] it. For whatever [all that, everything] the Father [God, the Almighty] does [works, accomplishes], the Son [of God, the Savior] also [in like manner, similarly] does [imitates, follows]. word study 20 The Father [loving with deep affection] loves the Son [His beloved child] and shows Him [revealing and explaining] all He does [all His works and ways]. And to your amazement [causing you to marvel and wonder], He will show Him [revealing and disclosing] even greater [more extraordinary and mighty] works than these [these signs and miracles]. word study 21 For just as [exactly like, in the same way] the Father [the heavenly Parent, God] raises [awakens, brings back to life] the dead [lifeless, spiritually or physically] and gives [grants, imparts] them life [eternal vitality, spiritual energy], so also the Son [the divine Messiah, Jesus] gives [bestows, grants] life [eternal existence, spiritual vitality] to whom [those, anyone] He [intentionally, with purpose] wishes [desires, wills]. word study 22 Furthermore, the Father [the male parent, God Almighty] judges [to condemn or punish, makes a decision] no one [nobody, none], but has assigned [given, bestowed] all [every, complete] judgment [divine verdict, decision] to the Son [the child, Jesus Christ, having God’s nature], word study 23 so that all [every person, everyone] may honor [show respect and value, reverence] the Son [the Messiah, Jesus Christ] just as [in the same way, equally] they honor [show respect and value, reverence] the Father [God, the Creator]. Whoever [any person who] does not [refuses to, fails to] honor [show respect and value, reverence] the Son [the Messiah, Jesus Christ] does not [will not, cannot] honor [show respect and value, reverence] the Father [God, the Creator] who sent [appointed, commissioned] Him [Jesus Christ, the Son]. word study 24 Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears [hears and understands] My word [the divine message, Logos] and believes Him who sent Me [the Father, God] has [possesses, holds] eternal [everlasting, age-during] life [spiritual existence, Zoe] and will not come under [be subject to] judgment [condemnation, divine verdict]. Indeed, he has crossed over [passed, transitioned] from death [separation from God, spiritual death] to life [eternal existence, union with God]. word study 25 Truly, truly, I tell you, the hour [a specific time, a moment of divine intervention] is coming and has now come when the dead [those spiritually separated from God] will hear the voice [the sound of divine authority] of the Son [the One having God’s nature] of God [the supreme Creator], and those who hear [listen and obey] will live [have eternal life, be spiritually alive]. word study 26 For as [just as, exactly like] the Father [the supreme Parent, divine Source] has life [physical and spiritual existence, eternal being] in Himself [His own essence, nature], so also He has granted [given, bestowed upon] the Son [the divine Child, Messiah] to have life [eternal existence, divine nature] in Himself [His own person, being]. word study 27 And He has given Him [the Father, the source of all authority] authority [power, freedom to act] to execute [to carry out, to administer] judgment [divine verdict, decision], because [since, for the reason that] He is [exists as, is known as] the Son [having the nature] of Man [a human being, a mortal]. word study 28 Do not be amazed [marvel not, surprised] at this [hearing, understanding], for the hour [a specific time, a season] is coming when all [every single one, without exception] who are in their graves [tombs, the place of the dead] will hear [listen, obey] His voice [the sound of His words, the noise of His command] word study 29 and come out—those who have done [practiced, lived out] good [beneficial, righteous] to the resurrection [a standing up again from death] of life [physical and spiritual existence], and those who have done [committed, repeated] evil [wicked, morally wrong] to the resurrection [a rising again for judgment] of judgment [divine verdict, condemnation]. word study 30 I can do nothing [of myself, by my own power] by Myself; I judge [make decisions, form opinions] only as I hear [listen and obey]. And My judgment [decision, verdict] is just [righteous, fair], because I do not seek [look for, try to find] My own will [desire, intention], but the will [desire, intention] of Him [the Father] who sent [appointed, commissioned] Me. word study 31 If [in the event that, under these circumstances] I [myself, as a witness] testify [bear witness, give evidence] about [concerning, regarding] Myself [my own person, my identity], My [belonging to me, my own] testimony [witness, evidence] is [exists, stands as] not [absolutely not, by no means] valid [true, trustworthy, genuine]. word study 32 There is another [a different one] who testifies [bears witness, gives evidence] about Me, and I know [am aware, perceive] that His testimony [witness, affirmation] about Me is [truly, genuinely] valid [true, authentic]. word study 33 You [ye, as a group] have sent [dispatched, as on a mission] to John [the Baptist, a prophet], and he has testified [borne witness, given evidence] to the truth [reality, authenticity]. word study 34 Even though I [do not need, have no requirement for] do not accept [receive, take to myself] human [from a man, of mankind] testimony [witness, evidence], I say [declare, speak] these things [words, teachings] so that [in order that, to the end that] you [as individuals, personally] may be [experience, receive] saved [rescued, delivered]. word study 35 John was a lamp [a shining light, a beacon] that burned [was kindled, ignited] and gave light [shone brightly, illuminated], and you were willing [desired, chose] for a season [a short time, an hour] to bask [rejoice, be glad] in his light [radiance, illumination]. word study 36 But I [the speaker Himself] have testimony [giving evidence or witness] more substantial [greater or more important] than that of John [the Baptist]. For the works [acts or deeds] that the Father [the male parent or divine Creator] has given Me to accomplish [to complete or finish]—the very works [the same ones] I am doing [making or performing]—testify [to bear witness] about Me that the Father [the divine Sender] has sent [dispatched or commissioned] Me. word study 37 And the Father [who is in heaven, the supreme Parent] who sent Me [as His representative, to do His will] has Himself testified [borne witness, given evidence] about Me. You have never [at any time, ever] heard His voice [sound, utterance] nor seen His form [appearance, shape], word study 38 nor does His word [message, divine expression] abide [remain, stay] in you, because you do not believe [trust, have faith] the One [that person, the Messiah] He sent [dispatched, appointed]. word study 39 You pore over [search, examine carefully] the Scriptures [holy Writings, God’s Word] because you presume [think, suppose] that by them [through studying them] you possess [have, gain] eternal [age-during, forever] life [spiritual existence, everlasting relationship with God]. These are the very words [written testimonies] that testify [bear witness, give evidence] about Me [concerning my identity, mission], word study 40 yet you refuse [are unwilling, do not want] to come [to approach, to draw near] to Me [to Jesus, the Messiah] to have [to possess, to receive] life [eternal existence, spiritual vitality]. word study 41 I do not [completely reject, utterly refuse] accept [take, receive] glory [honor, praise] from [out of, beside] men [human beings], word study 42 but I know [have come to understand, recognize] you, that you do not have [lack, are without] the love [agape, unconditional affection] of God [the one true deity] within [in your hearts, among] you. word study 43 I [the Messiah, Jesus Christ] have come [arrived, been sent] in My Father’s [the Almighty, Creator] name [authority, character], and you have not received [accepted, welcomed] Me; but if someone else [another, a different one] comes [arrives, is sent] in his own [personal, private] name [authority, reputation], you will receive [accept, acknowledge] him. word study 44 How [in what way, by what means] can you believe [have faith, trust] if you accept [receive, take] glory [honor, praise] from one another [each other, mutually], yet do not seek [look for, pursue] the glory [praise, recognition] that comes [originates, is derived] from the only [alone, solitary] God [the one true deity]? word study 45 Do not think [suppose or assume] that I will accuse [bring charges against] you before the Father [the heavenly Parent]. Your accuser [one who condemns] is Moses [the lawgiver, mediator of the covenant], in whom you have put your hope [placed your trust and confidence]. word study 46 If [in the event that, as a condition] you had believed [trusted in, had faith in] Moses [the Hebrew lawgiver], you would believe [trust in, have faith in] Me, because [for the reason that] he wrote [recorded, penned] about [concerning, regarding] Me [I, the Messiah]. word study 47 But since you do not [really, truly] believe [have faith in, trust] what he [Moses, the prophet] wrote [his writings, scriptures], how [in what way, possibly] will you believe [trust, have faith in] what I say [my words, declarations]?” word study